Aikido- Aikido is a Japanese martial art
developed by Morihei Ueshiba (often referred to by his title 'O Sensei' or
'Great Teacher'). On a purely physical level it is an art involving some throws
and joint locks that are derived from Jujitsu and some throws and other
techniques derived from Kenjutsu. Aikido focuses not on punching or kicking
opponents, but rather on using their own energy to gain control of them or to
throw them away from you. It is not a static art, but places great emphasis on
motion and the dynamics of movement. On the technical side, aikido is rooted in
several styles of jujitsu (from which modern judo is also derived), in
particular daitoryu-(aiki) jujitsu, as well as sword and spear fighting arts.
Oversimplifying somewhat, we may say that aikido takes the joint locks and
throws from jujitsu and combines them with the body movements of sword and spear
fighting. However, we must also realize that many aikido techniques are the
result of Master Ueshiba's own innovation.

Bando Thaing-
Bando is credited as a style of armed and unarmed combat native to Burma. It is
an assimilation of Karate-like striking and kicking techniques, Judo-like
throwing techniques, swordplay and fighting with knives, spears and sticks.
There are numerous interpretations of the term Bando, and different linguistic
and ethnic groups hold to diverse translations. There are many styles of Bando,
but most follow basic instructional patterns. The art emphasizes initial
withdrawal followed by an attack outside the opponent's reach. All parts of the
body are employed in these attacks, and once the initial technique is delivered,
grappling and locking techniques are used. Techniques are learned first through
formal exercises in some systems and only later through sparring.

Capoeira-
Capoeira (pronounced Capo-wa-ra), a fun and exciting sport, is a Brazilian art
form and self-defense; with strong aerobic and dance elements. It is a mixture
of body and soul, fighting and dancing, of music instruments and voice requiring
the use of mental physical and emotional agility. The emphasis is not on how
well you sing or perform but on how much energy you commit to trying. It is a
harmony of forces that gives you power, flexibility, endurance and
self-discovery. Participants form a circle and 2 people at a time exhibit their
skills in eluding and striking their opponent. The blows are not landed. What
results is a highly aerobic, and fun mock fight with some very impressive moves.
(The music is infectious also!) This is growing in popularity as a fun
alternative to aerobics.

Chanbara - Over
thirty years ago Japanese martial artists and swordmasters came together and
created a better training style. The founder, Tanabe Tetsundo and his group of
some of the strongest swordsmen in Japan called this new school of thought
Goshindo, later nicknamed Chanbara. These martial artists and masters were very
traditional. They also knew that the times were changing and decided to educate
today's public in the way of the modern Japanese Samurai. New materials made out
of flexible plastics and the constant refining of swords for combat in the 21st
century proved to be a stroke of genius.

Daito Ryu Aiki Bujutsu
-

Gatka- Gatka is the martial art of the
Sikhs, and is tied in with the religion Sikhism. It's a weapons-based martial
art, which was imparted to the Sikhs in the time of Guru Hargobind Ji (the sixth
Guru of the Sikhs) by the Rajputs (Hindu warriors of northern India) in the 16th
century, in gratitude for their release from imprisonment by the fledgling Sikh
army of that time. The Sikhs at that time opposed the Mughal Empire, which
violently oppressed both Sikhs and Hindus in the name of Islam.

Haidong Gumdo-
Haidong Gumdo is a Korean sword art which draws from battlefield tactics and
techniques to build a curriculum for mental, physical and spiritual development.
Students learn forms, step drills, sitting and moving meditation, sparring as
well as bamboo and straw cutting. Unlike Kendo and its Korean equivalent, Kumdo,
the focus in Haidong Gumdo is not duelling but on the tactics of outdoor,
pitched battles. Powerful, complex and beautiful, Haidong Gumdo is a wonderful
style which can be pursued throughout your life. Haidong Gumdo means many things
to many people. On the surface it is a martial system which preserves and
promotes the Korean approach to sword techniques. The dynamic movements and
visible power of the forms capture the eye and imagination. Graceful, flowing
motion, harnessing lethal power is one way to describe Haidong Gumdo.

Hapkido -
Hapkido is a discipline of coordination, a way of strengthening the mind and
body, of fusing the individuals physical and mental powers so that he or she
will emerge as a more fully integrated human being. The word in fact means;
Method or Way (DO) for the coordination Harmony (HAP) of mental Energy or spirit
(KI). One should always try to avoid violence, but if someone grabs you,
attempts to strike you, or physically assaults you in any way, it has escalated
beyond words, and you are left with the only option which is to defend.

Hwa Rang Do-
Hwa Rang Do, teaches that in order to attain maximum human potential, one must
attain a state of balance and maintain harmony with natural laws of the
universe. The theory of Um-Yang states that in nature there is co-existence of
polar dichotomies. For every one, there is an equal opposite. Hwa Rang Do, is a
combination of UM {soft/circular movement} and YANG {hard/linear movement},
making it one of the most diversified and comprehensive martial arts to be found
in the world. It's study integrates the spiritual, mental, and physical
disciplines enabling its practitioners to realize their full potential in all
areas of life. The techniques are derived in accord with the principles of
Um-Yang. Three Elements of Um, the essence of Hwa Rang Do®, soft techniques: Yu
- soft, fluid force of flowing water. The power of Yu is deceptive; relenting
under force; it draws its attack into its own stream of power and re-directs it.
Won - is movement in circular directions. Its power may be seen in the rock at
the end of a sling, or the power developed from a spinning motion. Hwa - as the
third element of Um, it represents unity and combination. Three Elements of
Yang, the essence of Hwa Rang Do, hard techniques; Kang - is hard like steel or
stone. Its power is illustrated in the form of a closed fist in a thrust punch
or a straight front kick. Kak - means angles. Its form is found in the correct
angle of the joint when applying breaking and throwing techniques or straight
angular blocks. Kan - means maintaining proper distance. It is the opposite
aspect of Hwa or combination and its form is found in understanding the distance
between two opponents. Hwa Rang Do, teaches both the martial art (moo-sul) and
healing art (in-sul). If one is able to injure or worse, then he/she should know
how to heal as well, once again maintaining harmony through balance of
opposites.

Iaido- One of
the Japanese traditional Budo concerned with drawing the blade and cutting in
the same motion. (Budo means martial arts or military arts in Japan). A typical
form consists of the draw and cut, a finishing cut, cleaning the blade and
returning it to the scabbard, all without looking away from the imaginary
opponent. Most practice is solo, eventually with shin-ken (a real blade). In
contrast with Kendo, Iaido is performed without protective coverings of any
kind. Students must strive to achieve power, precision and perfection in their
form. Along the way they learn balance, grace, and control both of the body and
the mind. Iaido dealt more with everyday situation rather than those on the
battlefield. The term "Iai" is taken from the Japanese phrase: "Tsune ni ite,
kyu ni awasu". The meaning of this is, whatever we may be doing or wherever we
may be, we must always be prepared from any eventually. The techniques
themselves dealt with many situations such as a sudden attack by several
opponents, a surprise attack while bowing to someone, an enemy lying in wait
behind a sliding door or an attack in a darkened room. The permutations
(suppositions) were countless.

Jeet Kune Do-
Jeet Kune Do is the complete body of technical (physical, scientific) and
philosophical (mental, social and spiritual) knowledge that was studied and
taught by Bruce Lee during his lifetime. It is concerned solely and exclusively
with Bruce Lee's personal evolution and process of self-discovery through the
Martial Art, as supported by written record (personal papers and library) and
oral recollections (by those students who spent time with and/or studied under
him). Jeet Kune Do should be considered as the "Root" that was established by
Bruce Lee, and NOT the ultimate goal of any practitioner, as students are
expected to modify, add, and delete all aspects of Jeet Kune Do until they
develop something that is uniquely their own (You the individual become, through
this process of self-discovery, your own best teacher).

Ju Jitsu -
Ju Jitsu is formed from two
ideograms Ju the various meanings of which are suppleness, flexibility, pliancy,
gentleness and Jitsu meaning technique or art. So Ju Jitsu means the art of
suppleness or flexibility. As most Ju Jitsuka (a student of Ju Jitsu) know there
is nothing "gentle" about the martial art. What Ju is conveying is that Ju Jitsu
does not use strength against strength, it uses the opponents strength and force
of attack as a weapon against him, thus enabling a stronger or bigger attacker
to be subdued. Ju Jitsu is one of the most complete martial arts there is. It
incorporates unarmed strikes, joint locks, chokes and throws.

Judo- Judo is
based on the ancient Japanese martial art called Jujitsu. Professor Kano opened
the Kodokan Dojo in Tokyo, Japan in the year 1882 and started to train students
in Nippon-Den-Kodokan-Judo. Judo, which means the "gentle way," is not only
concerned with attack and defense techniques but the physical conditioning and
total health that could be attained from its practice. The meaning of the word
Ju (gentleness) denotes not resisting the strength of the opponent, but
adapting to it, and taking advantage of it by turning it to one's own advantage.
The meaning of the word Do (way) denotes not just methods or techniques,
but also signifies adherence to strict moral principles which are essential in
striving for "self-perfection as a human being".

Kali Silat- Kali, meaning body in motion, is the
Martial Art of the Philippines. Our Kali program consists of energy drills and
sensitivity training utilizing hand eye coordination techniques with or without
the use of weapons. Silat is the Art form of Malaysia, Indonesia and the
Philippines. It is the art of taking down an attacker simply and directly
utilizing locks, chokes and holds.

Kajukenbo - Kajukenbo was founded in 1947 at
Palamas Settlement on Oahu, Hawaii. It developed out a group calling themselves
the "Black Belt Society", which consisted of black belts from various martial
arts backgrounds who met to train and learn with each other. This was the
beginning of an evolutionary, adaptive style designed to combine the most useful
aspects of the arts. Kajukenbo is a unique
martial art style combining the techniques of KA-Karate, JU-Judo
and Jujitsu, KEN-Kenpo, and BO-Boxing. It was founded in Hawaii in
1947 by Adriano Emperado, and is one of the most popular forms of self-defense
practiced in the world today, because of its' effectiveness and logical
approach. It's main philosophy is that every martial arts style has something to
offer, and if one accepts that idea and trains accordingly, they will become a
more well-rounded and, therefore, more effective martial artist.

Kalaripayattu-
Kalaripayattu is the ancient martial art of the State. It is considered as the
forerunner of Karate & Kung-fu. The Kalari is treated as the temple of learning.
Age-old traditions and customs are still practiced inside the Kalari. The
Gurukkal system consists of rigorous physical training besides training in
self-discipline. The weapons used were the sword, Dagger, Shield, short sticks,
spears etc. The co-ordination of the body and mind is given maximum importance
in this art.

Karate- Karate
is a generic term for the various kick/punch arts which originated in Okinawa
and Japan. Karate is a Japanese word that translates into English as, “empty
hand.” It is a martial art of unarmed self-defense in which directed blows of
the hands or feet are delivered with special shouts from a poised stance. Karate
is related to judo but stresses striking techniques, through kicks and punches,
rather than wrestling or throwing an opponent. Karate as a means of self-defense
has the oldest history, going back hundreds of years. It is only in recent years
that the techniques which have been handed down were scientifically studied and
the principles evolved for making the most effective use of the various moves of
the body. Training based on these principles and knowledge of the working of the
muscles and the joints and the vital relation between movement and balance
enable the modern student of Karate to be prepared, both physically and
psychologically, to defend himself successfully against any would-be assailant.
As a physical art, Karate is almost without equal. Since it is highly dynamic
and makes balanced use of a large number of body muscles, it provides excellent
all-around exercise and develops coordination and agility.
The major traditional styles of karate are Shotokan, Shito Ryu, Goju Ryu, and
Wado Ryu. Each of these styles is taught by several international organizations.
Besides these 4 main styles there is a wide variety of other styles, system and
family forms of karate. All of them trace their origin back to the island of
Okinawa, formerly also know as the Ryukyu Islands, and the martial art developed
there. Shotokan karate is an art, a sport, and the basis for a method of self
defense. Different people choose to emphasize different aspects of karate in
their personal training and study. As a group everyone is exposed to, and
expected to participate in, training geared toward all three aspects (art,
sport, and self defense) in an attempt to have a well rounded background.
Stylistically, Shotokan is known for having strong, low stances, dynamic hip
motions, and extremely precise techniques.

Kendo- Kendo
is a Japanese style of fencing derived during the Meiji period in Japan
(1868-1912), from the two-handed sword fighting techniques of the samurai. Today
kendo, which means "way of the sword", is practiced with shinai (bamboo swords),
and fighters wear protective equipment covering the target areas: the head,
wrists, and abdomen. The bogu (protective gear) consists of a men (face mask), a
do (breastplate), kote (fencing gloves), and the tare, a kind of apron to
protect the stomach and hips. Under the protective gear, kendoka (students of
kendo) wear a hakama, or wide split skirt, reaching the ankles. The weapon used
in Kendo is the shinai, or bamboo sword. The shinai is approximately four feet
in length and is made of four carefully formed bamboo slats bound together to
form hollow cylinder. A cord runs along the length of the shinai. To make a
valid cut a player must strike his opponent with the side opposite the cord. In
addition the point must be struck with the top third of the shinai.

Kickboxing-
Kickboxing started in the US during the 1970's when American karate
practitioners became frustrated with strict controls on martial arts
competitions that didn't allow full contact kicks and punches. Many questions
were raised when the sport began about the high risk of injury. As a result,
safety rules were improved and protective clothing was added. As this is a
relatively new sport there are no long-term traditions. The sport has undergone
changes and been refined during the last two decades. Competitors use sparring,
kicks, punches, kick blocks, shadow boxing, and wood breaking that is learned
and applied under professional instruction.

Krav Maga-
A practical and tactical system which teaches
how to prevent, deal and overcome all kinds of violence and attacks. KM prepares
the trainees in the subjects of self-defense, self protection, fighting and
combat skills, as well as skills to defend others, all in unique and
comprehensive teachings and way. Krav-Maga was developed in Israel, under
realistic demands and conditions. Founded and formed by Imi Lichtenfeld (Sde-Or)
and continues to advance and be modified by Eyal Yanilov, assisted by the top
instructors of IKMF. Krav-Maga is a horizontal system with a unique and logical
approach. It is easy to learn and retain, performed naturally and intuitively,
and practically be use under stressful conditions. An essential part of KM is
its teaching process, methodology and ways of training. Krav-Maga contains
special approaches, tactics, techniques, subjects, drills and training methods
for the different sectors: Civilians of all ages, men and women, young and old;
Law-enforcement officers; Military personnel and units; Correction service
officers and wardens; Security officers; As well as: Close protection officers;
Undercover agents; Antiterrorists groups; Air-marshals; Special and commando
units.

Kuk Sool Won
- The roots of Kuk Sool date back to the very beginning of Korea with "Sado Mu
Sool" which means family or tribal martial art. The next martial art to develop
was "Bulkyo Mu Sool", or "Buddhist martial art". Shortly afterwards came "Koong
Joong Mu Sool" which translates to 'Royal Court Martial Art'. These are the
three segments of ancient Korean martial arts from which the techniques of Kuk
Sool evolved. Although its origin may be traced back to antiquity, the present
Kuk Sool system was formally devised only recently. Grand master In Hyuk Suh
spent more than fifty years in single minded practice and research in order to
learn, compile, master and organize the more than 3,600 techniques that comprise
Kuk Sool. He founded the Kuk Sool Won in 1961 and took it to the United States
in 1974. For self defense, Kuk Sool is unsurpassed. It combines kicking,
punching, throwing, falling, choking, joint locking and a myriad of weapons
techniques into a beautiful and dynamic 'hard-soft' style, emphasizing speed and
fluidity. In conjunction with physical training, meditation, breathing,
acupressure and acupuncture techniques are employed to improve and maintain
health, develop internal power and retard the ageing process. Philosophically,
Kuk Sool stresses humility, self discipline, loyalty and respect for others.

Kumdo - Kumdo, meaning "way of the sword", is
very similar to Kendo. Practitioners, using the jukdo (bamboo sword) for
striking, wear a helmet and hard body protector so that they are able to
practice full contact strikes to the head and body. Kumdo is an exacting art,
with an emphasis on precision and attitude over speed and strength. Kumdo also
encompasses practice with the wooden sword and, eventually, the sharp sword (Kumbub).

Kung Fu- An
extremely disciplined, powerful martial art where strength is built in low
stances and powerful blocks. Some Kung Fu blocks are so powerful that it can
break the arm of someone who is punching you. Kunf Fu has many systems like
Hung-Gar, WuShu, Wing Chun, and others. Kung Fu is for the patient, and mentally
and physically strong person. It was the basis for many later forms of martial
arts. Over the years, kung fu developed into different styles such as Wing Chun,
Drunken boxing and styles based on animal movements like the crane or snake. The
reason for such diversity was simple. People rarely traveled far from their
homes and kung fu evolved in different locations. In northern China, martial
arts emphasized kicking and leg work. In the South, various forms of boxing were
most common. Top kung fu stars today have mastered different styles as well. Jet
Li is best known as a practitioner of wu shu which uses many different styles
emphasizing fluid motion. Jackie Chan learned kung fu while training in a
Chinese opera school in Hong Kong and boosts a mastery of the "five animal
styles" of kung fu which is highlighted in the film Shaolin Wooden Men. Today
many kung fu styles exist and are still passed on as family traditions and
through classes.

Kyudo- "The
Way of the Bow" When the bow became obsolete as a weapon the spiritual aspect of
archery was developed as a discipline for peace and self-cultivation. This was
achieved by uniting the vigor of the warrior tradition with the dignity of the
ceremonial. As a path for personal growth and development, the concept of
Reisetsu - respect for the other, became the moral discipline which united these
two aspects and formed the foundation for the practice of Kyudo. In meeting
desire, negative thoughts, and physical difficulties the practice of Kyudo
offers the individual the opportunity to meet their limitations, and to enjoy
the challenge of this confrontation. One soon realizes that the problems faced
are not to be found in the bow, or the immovable target, but in oneself. If this
is accepted and the practice is carried out sincerely then the energy of the
shooting begins to enrich one's life. Technique cannot be considered without an
understanding of spiritual energy. Neither aspect can function without the
other. The acquisition of technique grows with the increase in body-mind
awareness to form a harmonious working together of the bow, body and spirit.

Muay Thai - (also referred to as Thai Boxing),
and Savate (also referred to as Boxe Francais). Muay Thai is the oldest known
form of kickboxing and is the primary building block of all other forms of
kickboxing. Muay Thai is the national sport of Thailand and is one of the most
popular sports in the world today. The history of Kickboxing in Thailand
however, is clouded at best. When the Burmese army sacked and razed Ayuddhaya to
the ground the archives of Thai history were lost, and along with them much of
the early history of Muay Thai. The first great interest in Muay Thai as a sport
is documented to have come around the year of 1584 under the rule of King
Naresuan. The King himself was well trained in the art of Muay Thai and so were
his soldiers. Soon the art spread to the public and new fighting techniques
began to evolve. Matches were held in every town and village on a daily basis.
The sport of Muay Thai made its way to Europe sometime around the 17th century
where it was embraced with open arms. The sport was modified, primarily to
outlaw the use of knees and elbows, and given the name Savate.

Naginata -
Naginata is a Japanese martial art form for men, women, and children. The
Naginata originated over 1,000 years ago. The Naginata is a weapon with a rich
history, utilized and refined from the Nara Period (710-784 A.D.) to today.
Employed initially by the Bushi, it later found itself the specific weapon of
the Sohei or Buddhist monks. It is the school of the spear and, as such, is a
shafted weapon. The length of its oval shaft varied, from 5' to 8', depending on
battle conditions and personal requests. The most striking feature, however, was
the blade; it could be anywhere from 10 inches to more than 2 feet, and was
sharpened on a single side, fashioned in the manner of either Sakizori or
Uchizori. As with most shafted weapons, it was most devastating when utilizing
sweeping, circular motions. However, thrusts with the blade and also the heavy
ishizuki on the butt end were acceptable tactical alternatives. It was a
powerful weapon against horsemen and foot soldiers alike. The Naginata's length
and weight made it an efficient weapon against the sword, and its circular
execution made it one of the most graceful and fluid of classical Japanese
combat systems. Naginata today is an art form that teaches etiquette, respect,
patience, self-confidence, and self-control. The practice of Naginata nurtures
stamina, beauty and grace of movement, and the building of character through
discipline and concentration. Moreover, it prepares individuals to deal with the
rigors of life, and in establishing a moral code based on chivalry and honor.

Ninjutsu- The
traditional Japanese method of espionage; involves stealthy movements and the
use of camouflage. Presently in the 34th generation, this school of Ninjutsu is
the only authentic tradition which has survived the more than 900 hundred years
since it's beginnings in feudal Japan through an unbroken chain of Grand
Masters. It's Martial roots, however, extend through history to the cradle of
modern civilization, China.

Savate- Savate
takes its name from the French for old boot (heavy footwear used to be
worn during fights) and is actually an amalgam of French street fighting
techniques from the beginning of the 19th century. At that time, savate
was a type of street fighting common in Paris and the north of France. And in
the south, especially in the port of Marseille, sailors had developed a form of
fighting involving high kicks, which was known as jeu marseillais (game
from Marseille), which was later renamed chausson (slipper, after the
type of shoes sailors wore). In contrast, at this time in England (the home of
boxing and the Queensberry rules), kicking was seen as unsportsmanlike or as
something that only cowards would resort to. (See Muay Thai)

Shintaido-
Shintaido is a unique combination of martial arts and body movement that
cultivates the spirit along with the mind and body. It has been called a moving
meditation. In Japanese, Shintaido means "new body way." Shintaido's forms
exemplify openness and freedom. The movements of Shintaido provide a new way of
experiencing our relationship with ourselves, others, nature, and the spiritual
world. Shintaido is also a healing art, and a form of artistic expression.
Shintaido attracts people who are interested in change, self development, and
re-connecting with their bodies, their community, their spiritual nature.
Shintaido was started in Japan in the 1960's under the leadership of Mr.
Hiroyuki Aoki, with a group of martial artists, musicians, actors, visual
artists, and others who wished to combine traditional wisdom with aspirations
for peace, freedom and equality. The Shintaido philosophy is grounded in body
movement.

Shorinji Kempo
- Shorinji Kempo traces its origins back almost 5000 years to India. From India,
Buddhism spread to many countries, including China. Bodhidharma, the sixth
century founder of Zen Buddhism, introduced kempo to the legendary Shaolin
Temple ('Shorin-Ji' in Japanese), located in Honan prefecture. Here kempo became
the main form of spiritual training for the buddhist monks and the monastery
became famous for its fighting arts. Wall paintings can still be seen today in
the Shaolin Temple of dark-skinned (Indian) monks practicing and teaching kempo
to light-skinned (Chinese) monks. The Imperial Chinese Government, feeling
threatened, destroyed the temple and persecuted the monks. The techniques
however continued to be taught and practiced by various secret societies as a
means of protection against bandits and corrupt officials. Many different forms
of kempo were developed and kept alive by these secret societies.

Soo Bahk Do-
Soo Bahk Do is an ancient, traditional Korean
martial art comprising hand and foot techniques. The art is renowned for its
disciplined approach and emphasis on the tradition and technical aspects of
martial art. Like most traditional martial art systems, Soo Bahk Do has
unlimited horizons. Consistent training leads to improvement not only in
physical ability, such as flexibility, strength, stamina and speed, but also
mental focus and application of will. These benefits develop a sense of calm and
quiet confidence in the practitioner.Soo Bahk Do is one of the most popular
forms of Korean martial art.

Stav- Stav
(pronounced st-arv) has been described as European Tai Chi and Viking Kung Fu.
Stav is a traditional system maintained by the Norwegian family Hafskjold for
over 44 generations. It is designed to improve mind, body, and spirit. It is
said the system has been practiced since 500 AD so it certainly is not a new
style developed from the African or Eastern styles. While these descriptions do
not cover the scope of Stav they perhaps give a taste of what can be gained. The
core of Stav is 16 stances or body postures. These are combined with breathing
exercises to give gentle, non-impact exercise to tone and relax. This is where
the Tai Chi reference comes in. However, these stances, with the breathing
techniques, can also be combined in a martial arts aspect that is very effective
and again does not put excessive stress and strain on the body. The full range
of Stav builds into a system to exercise the body and mind and helps bring into
balance the turmoil of the modern world.

Sumo
- Originally known as "sumai", meaning struggle, sumo began around 20 B.C. as
military combat. Sumai used most of the modern sumo techniques, plus a variety
of strikes. . It resembled other wrestling based arts such as mongolian
wrestling and Indian wrestling. Before the 16th century almost all wrestling was
practiced for battle. Evolving after the 16th century, it eventually became
known as sumo. Rules, ranks, and a ring now make sumo into a sport of giants.
The water ceremony, the bowing, the costumes, and pageantry are all reminders of
the ancient military traditions are still recognized today in competition. To
follow a competition is quite easy. The winner is the one who forces his
opponent out of the ring or forcing his opponent to touch the floor with any
body part above the knee, first. The techniques they employ range from slapping
(tsuppari), sweeps (ketaguri), and a wide variety of sacrafice throws (utchari).

T'ai Chi Chuan
- The forms of Tai Chi Chuan are a traditional Chinese approach to exercise,
meditation, and personal growth. Practiced both for health and self-defense, its
graceful, flowing movements are at the same time beautiful, healthful and
powerful. Its practice promotes an inner calm and a tranquil attitude, enhancing
self-awareness. Tai Chi springs from emptiness and is born of nature. It is the
source of motion and tranquility and the mother of Yin and Yang. The body weight
or center of gravity of the practitioner sinks into the abdomen and trunk of the
body, thus allowing more relaxed and deep breathing. With the mind quieted, the
heartbeat slows down, and different muscular, neurological, glandular, and organ
systems function in a more balanced fashion. The practice of Tai Chi Chuan is
harmony and understanding of the ways of the world.

Tae Kwon Do- Tae Kwon Do is the world's most
widely practice martial art. Tae Kwon Do is a Korean fighting art that looks
very similar to Japanese karate. It is an Olympic sport, an artistic discipline,
a system of self-defense, and a way of life. Tae Kwon Do is an artistic
discipline. The techniques are done with graceful and powerful movements.
Students continuously strive to improve the artistic presentation of each
technique. The art of Tae Kwon Do develops posture, graceful movement, excellent
coordination, and attention to detail. We believe that everyone can benefit from
exposure to this artistic discipline.

Taido - Taido is a scientific martial art
which has taken the essence of the traditional Japanese martial arts and
transformed it into one which can meet the needs of a modern society. In both
Japanese print and television media Taido has been recognized as a martial art
having "philosophical depth" and "creativity". It has been deemed as "the
martial art of the 21st century". Taido is not a martial art where punching or
kicking techniques are executed along a one dimensional line. Rather Taido's
techniques are delivered by changing the body axis and balance. It is also
characterized by the use of elaborate footwork in changing the angle of attack
and by the use of one's entire body in the martial art. Taido, moreover, is not
simply a sport as many forms of karate have become, but also involves a special
type of training which requires a tremendous amount of self-discipline in terms
of spiritual concentration. The essence of Taido lies not in the techniques of
the art itself but in the utilization of the training acquired in Taido for the
development and benefit of both self and society. Taido's techniques are
designed with a dual purpose in mind. Not only are they used for one's personal
defense but they play an important role in keeping one's internal organs
healthy. Based upon the theories applied in the medical art of acupuncture,
Taido has studied the effect of the angle of body movement upon the internal
organs. This is realized, in part, through the Hokei, which are systemized
routines of techniques and movements. These improve the students' offensive and
defensive techniques while promoting the development of their health. Taido also
encompasses, and emphasizes strongly, the breathing techniques. This is indeed
another unique aspect of Taido as compared to other martial arts.

Vovinam Viet Vo Dao- The Martial Arts Discipline known as
Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao, was founded by Master Nguyen Loc in 1938. He grew up
during a period when Vietnam was still under French colonial rule. In that
time, young men could either abide by the French policies, or join the
revolution against the French. Master Nguyen Loc believed the only way to free
Vietnam from the colonial rule was to take those with a strong will for liberty
and independence, training them to attain a strong body and a rational mind. He
practiced hard and researched many foreign forms of martial arts over a long
span of time. He later founded a new form of discipline, which became known as
Vovinam (Martial Arts of Vietnam). Since 1964, the title "Viet Vo Dao" (The
Philosophy of Vietnamese Martial Arts) was added to the original, becoming
Vovinam-Viet Vo Dao.

Styles of Karate

Gojo-ryu

Goju Ryu (Japanese for "Hard-soft style") is a
style of karate, so called as it allows a combination of hard and soft
techniques. The development of Goju Ryu goes back to Kanryo Higashionna,
(1850-1915), a native of Naha, Okinawa. As a teenager he trained with an
Okinawan master named Aragaki Seisho. At the age of twenty he sailed to Fuzhou
in the Fukien Province of China and spent many years studying various martial
arts, mostly under the kung fu master Liu Liu Ko, who is supposed to have been a
shoemaker. He returned to Okinawa during the middle of the Meiji Era (1868-1911)
and continued in the family business of selling firewood, while teaching a new
school of martial arts, distinguished by its integration of go-no (hard)
and ju-no (soft) kempo in one system. The word karate was not in
common use at that time, and Higashionna's style was known as Naha-te.

Higashionna's most prominent student was Miyagi Chojun
(1888-1953) who began training under Higashionna at the age of 12. After
Higashionna's death Miyagi sailed to China and studied there for several years,
returning to Naha in 1918. Many of Higashionna's students continued to train
with him, including Higa Seiko (1898-1966) who inadvertently gave the style its
name. After a demonstration one day, Higa was asked what the style was called.
Recalling a favorite saying of Miyagi's, Higa said it was called "Goju-ryu." The
name stuck. The line he was thinking of was "Successful methods require both
give and take (go and ju)" which is from an anonymous poem called
the Ha Po ("Eight Sayings") from a Chinese manual called Wu Pei Chih
("Handbook of Military Arts and Science") well-known in Okinawa, where its title
is pronounced "Bubishi".

Goju-ryu combines hard striking attacks (from Karate) like
kicks and punches with softer circular techniques (from Kung Fu) for blocking
and controlling the opponent. Major emphasis is given to breathing correctly.

The International Okinawan Goju-ryu Karate-do Federation (IOGKF)
has made Goju-ryu widely popular, with schools in almost fifty countries. The
IOGKF is run by its founder Morio Higaonna, a student of Miyagi An'ichi, a
student (but no relation) of Miyagi Chojun.

However, Goju-ryu has developed an extremely complex web
of diverse traditions founded by different students of Miyagi Chojun and their
successors, and no one person can be objectively said to be the leader of
Goju-ryu nor any one entity the governing body of the entire style.

Other leading figures have included Yagi Meitoku
(1912-2003), who inherited Miyagi's school on Okinawa; Toguchi Seikichi
(1917-1998) ; and Miyazato Ei'ichi (1922-1999). Peter Urban (1934-2004), Anthony
Mirakian, and Kimo Wall are prominent Americans who brought Goju-ryu to the
United States.

Shito-ryu

Shito ryu (糸東流) is a form of karate that was
developed by Kenwa Mabuni in 1931. Any history of Shitoryu Karate, however, must
begin and end with its founder, Kenwa Mabuni. Born in Shuri on Okinawa in 1893,
Mabuni Sensei was a descendant of the famous Onigusukini Samurai family. Perhaps
because of his weak constitution, he began his instruction in his home town in
the art of Shuri-Te at the age of 13, under the tutelage of the legendary Anko
Yasutsune Itosu (1813-1915). He trained diligently for several years, learning
many kata from this great master. It was Itosu who first developed the Pinan
kata, which were most probably derived from the 'Kusanku' form.

One of his close friends, Sensei Chogun Miyagi (founder of
Goju-ryu) introduced Mabuni to another great of that period, Sensei Kanryo
Higashionna, and began to learn Naha-Te under him as well. While both Itosu and
Higashionna taught a 'hard-soft' style of Okinawan 'Te', their methods and
emphases were quite distinct: the Itosu syllabus included straight and powerful
techniques as exemplified in the Naifanchi and Bassai kata; the Higashionna
syllabus on the other hand, stressed circular motion and shorter fighting
methods as seen in the popular Seipai and Kururunfa forms. These were the two
main influences on the development of Mabuni Sensei and what he would later call
Shito-ryu. In fact, he derived the name for his new style from the first Kanji
character in their names, Itosu and Higashionna.

Although he remained true to the teachings of these two
great masters, Mabuni sought instruction from a number of other teachers;
including Seisho Aragaki, Tawada Shimboku, Sueyoshi Jino and Wu Xianhui (a
Chinese master known as Go-Kenki). In fact, Mabuni was legendary for his
encyclopaedic knowledge of kata and their bunkai applications. By the 1920s, he
was regarded as the foremost authority on Okinawan kata and their history and
was much sought after as a teacher by his contemporaries. There is even some
evidence that his expertise was sought out in China, as well as Okinawa and
mainland Japan. As a police officer, he taught local law enforcement officers
and at the behest of his teacher Itosu, began instruction in the various grammar
schools in Shuri and Naha.

In an effort to popularize karate in mainland Japan,
Mabuni made several trips to Tokyo in 1917 and 1928. Although much that was
known as 'Te' (Chinese Fist) or Karate had been passed down through many
generations with jealous secrecy, it was his view that it should be taught to
anyone who sought knowledge with honesty and integrity. In fact, many masters of
his generation held similar views on the future of Karate: Sensei Gichin
Funakoshi (founder of Shotokan), another contemporary, had moved to Tokyo in the
1920s to promote their art on the mainland as well.

By 1929, Mabuni had moved to Osaka on the mainland, to
become a full-time karate instructor. With the support of Sensei Ryusho Sakagami
(1915-1993), he opened a number of dojo in the Osaka area, including Kansai
University and the Japan Karatedo Kai dojo. To this day, the largest contingent
of Shito-ryu practitioners in Japan is centred in the Osaka area.

In an effort to gain acceptance in the Japanese Butokukai,
the governing body for all officially recognized martial arts in that country,
he and his contemporaries decided to call their art 'Karate' or 'Empty Hand',
rather than 'Chinese Hand'. He published a number of books on the subject and
continued to systematize the instruction method. In his latter years, he
developed a number of formal kata, such as Aoyagi, for example, which was
designed specifically for women's self defense. Perhaps more than any other
Master in the last century, Mabuni was steeped in the traditions and history of
Karate-do, yet forward thinking enough to realize that it could spread
throughout the world.

Shotokan

Shotokan (松涛館) is a school of karate, reflecting
the style of master Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957), who first brought karate from
Okinawa to mainland Japan. Shoto was Funakoshi's pen name for his poetry,
while Shotokan was the name of the hall where "Shoto" trained his
students. Funakoshi had trained in both of the popular styles of Okinawan Karate
of the time: Shorei-ryu and Shorin-ryu. He combined and modified the styles, and
made his own, though he never named it, always referring to it simply as
"karate".

Training is usually divided into three sections: kihon or
"basics", kumite or "sparring", and kata. Shotokan techniques in kihon and kata
are characterized by deep, long stances which provide stability and powerful
movements. Strength and power are often demonstrated instead of slower, more
flowing motions. The kumite techniques mirror these stances and movements at a
basic level, but progress to be being more "free" and flexible at a higher
level. Funakoshi is said to have found the traditional martial arts (such as
sumo, jujutsu and kenjutsu) to be too focused on combat, and he put more
emphasis on health, breathing, releasing energy and outstanding mind and body
control.

Shotokan karate is today the most popular style of karate,
and is practiced in hundreds of dojos around the world.

Wado-ryu

Wado-ryu (和道流) is one of the world's major karate
styles. On the surface it looks very similar to other styles such as Shotokan.
However, there are some important differences.

It may be argued that Wado-ryu is a Jujutsu style rather
than Okinawan Karate. When first registered with the Japanese Butokukai in 1939
the style was called Shinshu Wadoryu Karate-Jutsu, a name which
reflects the hybrid nature of Wado. Wado-ryu's founder Hironori Ohtsuka was
already a renowned grandmaster in Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujutsu when he first met
the Okinawan karate master Funakoshi. After having received tutelage of not only
Funakoshi but later also the Okinawan masters Mabuni and Motobu, he set off to
merge Shindo Yoshin Ryu with Okinawan Karate.

The result of Ohtsuka's efforts is Wado-ryu. While its
techniques may be very much karate in looks, most of the underlying principles
have been derived from Shindo Yoshin Ryu. A block in Wado may look much like a
block in Shotokan, they are nevertheless performed from a completely different
perspective. A Shotokan practitioner is likely to force an incoming fist out of
the line of attack. A Wado expert, on the other hand, will rather move himself
out of the line of attack while taking up a position that will gain him an
advantage over the opponent. Both ways will look almost similar to the untrained
eye, but couldn't be further apart when considering the tactics behind them. Key
in Wado-ryu is the principle of taisabaki, often wrongly referred to as
evasion. The Japanese term can be translated as body-management
and refers to body manipulation so as to move the defender as well as the
attacker out of harm's way. The way to achieve this is to move along
rather than to move against. Or, harmony rather than strength.

Perhaps the nature of Wado is better understood when
considering its Jujutsu origins. In 17th century Japan, a young physician
departed on a journey to China. His name was Yoshitoki Akiyama. During his stay
in China he learned Chinese healing methods as well as Chinese fighting
techniques. After a while Akiyama returned to Japan and retreated in a monastery
where he devoted himself to meditation. During those days he also practiced and
perfected his technique. One snowy day during winter, Akiyama sat gazing at a
willow tree. It suddenly occurred to him that the willow tree, unlike some other
trees, didn't have any broken branches, despite the heavy snow. The willow
branches simply yield and allow the snow to fall off. Sturdier trees with
unyielding branches suffer much heavier from the elements of nature. After this
revelation he developed 303 techniques which became known as Yoshin Ryu
Jujutsu or Willow Heart Style. Yoshin Ryu later evolved into Wado-Ryu
but the fundamental yielding principles have still been preserved.

The term Wado-ryu can be broken into three parts:
Wa, do and ryu. Wa can be read to mean harmony.
Do is a Japanese term for way. ryu simply means style.
Wa or harmony shouldn't be interpreted as pacifism in any way. It is
merely the acknowledgment that yielding is sometimes more effective than brute
strength.

However, modern karate competition tends to transform
Wado-Ryu away from its roots towards a new generic karate that appeals more to
the demands of both spectators and competitors.